Strings for a beginner

A friend of mine is looking to get rid of his stock string and put in something a little better. He just start 2-3 months ago. I'd like to recommend a multifilament or synthetic gut, probably a syn gut, but I'm at a loss for what's good now.

He has an eastern forehand that he arms, and likes to run around the backhand to protect it. When he hits the backhand, it's a weird 1 hand / 2 hand thing. He brushes the ball and is able to hit with a little bit of topspin. I'm aware that form and technique need to be worked on, but he doesn't like the stock strings at all.

You did not mention what racquet he is using. I would second the opinions to just go with Nylon/Syn Gut in 16 gauge initially in middle of recommended tension range. Restring every 3 months minimum, but adjust tension up or down depending on what he wants out of the racquet.

Is there a specific string, either multi or syn gut, that holds tension the best? Preferably in a higher gauge? i.e. is there an SPPP equivalent in multi / syn gut that is a tension maintenance monster?

Is there a specific string, either multi or syn gut, that holds tension the best? Preferably in a higher gauge? i.e. is there an SPPP equivalent in multi / syn gut that is a tension maintenance monster?

Also, has anyone used Prince Premier LT? What makes that one so much more expensive than Attack? I noticed it comes in an 18 gauge.

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I used Premier LT 16. I usually don't pay that much for a multi, but it came free with my racquet as part of a special offer. I played well with it, but after about 6-8 hours I could feel it getting stiffer, then at about 10 hours I cut it because I didn't like it at that point.

Premier Attack is softer from the start. It gets stiffer also, but it keeps its playability for a longer time. Premier Attack has more pop, and it gives me more confidence to take full swings. I measure my tension with RacquetTune every time I'm done playing. Based on my measurements, Premier Attack holds tension as well or better than any other string I've tried. I also like that it doesn't move around much in the stringbed.

I really don't see a reason to pay more for Premier LT. Maybe Premier Softflex would be better, but I haven't tried it, and it also costs more than Premier Attack.

Like what fortun8son said, my experiences with synthetic guts is that they're all generally similar in terms of tension maintenance. I haven't found any particular brand that outlasts others in any significant way.

The most popular synthetics appear to be: Gosen OGSM, Forten Sweet, and Prince Synthetics. I mostly use the first two.

If your client is a beginner, I'd say it's irrelevant. My guess is that PPA 17 will last longer because, in my experience, PPA 16 lasts longer than PSGD 16. However, a beginner isn't going to be breaking strings anytime soon. He will probably keep the strings so long, they will die before they break. For a beginner, I'd recommend the cheaper one unless he just wants to try something better.

For dedicated, hard working beginners natural gut should seriously be looked at. I think it'll last them for long, give them predictable response, and won't do damage to their arms all until the string breaks.

For dedicated, hard working beginners natural gut should seriously be looked at. I think it'll last them for long, give them predictable response, and won't do damage to their arms all until the string breaks.

My favorite setup is full gut. It's great for the arm, and it lasts 2-3 times as long as the best multifilaments, but just because it's great for me doesn't mean it's good for a beginner.

The softer multifilament synthetics are as easy on the arm as gut. You won't find anybody whose arm is going to be any better with full gut than it would be with a good soft multi. I know this as well as anyone because my arm starts to feel it after only 3 hours with poly.

Unlike gut, you can play with multifilament synthetics in the rain and you don't have to treat it with kid gloves. Beginners are notorious for not knowing these kinds of things. As soon as the beginner leaves his racquet out in the rain, it's done. He can play with it in a damp court or leave it in the trunk of his car, and suddenly the strings have lost tension. Yes, gut is durable, but a beginner isn't going to be breaking strings anyway. The only strings I would recommend for a beginner are cheap nylon, synthetic gut, or multifilaments.

Let's see... 4 out of the 5 top selling strings are:
PSGD
Lightning XX
Sensation
NXT
Any one would be fine
Although, you can probably leave out NXT because of price
The fifth is RPM Blast, which you can definitely leave out.

Let's see... 4 out of the 5 top selling strings are:
PSGD
Lightning XX
Sensation
NXT
Any one would be fine
Although, you can probably leave out NXT because of price
The fifth is RPM Blast, which you can definitely leave out.

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First thing came to my mind is "How the did prince managed to bankrupt itself while having top 2 selling string?"

lightning xx, duraflex, hell even gosen, if he's only been playing 2-3 months, I really wouldnt stress too much, just have him restring every couple months depending on how much play, once he gets some consistency down then make some subtle changes and remember, try to change only ONE thing at a time....

lightning xx, duraflex, hell even gosen, if he's only been playing 2-3 months, I really wouldnt stress too much, just have him restring every couple months depending on how much play, once he gets some consistency down then make some subtle changes and remember, try to change only ONE thing at a time....

They went away from Pro endorsements and went for the low road, not realizing that people will (often mistakenly) buy what their favorite players use.
They lost Sharapova to Head and have invested heavily in the O-Port technology which has had more than it's share of problems.

Lightning XX is popular with the ladies for it's power and flash.
It is also one of the better racquetball strings(Ektelon version)

BTW Ektelon has had some of the same O-Port problems.(premature breakage in particular)

Of course it is, as long as you do not shank the ball. If you shank the ball regularly, the string does not last very long. So from an economic point of view it does not make much sense for a beginner to use Natural Gut, unless he/she is very wealthy or if he/she hits the sweetspot regularly. Most tennis players including myself will agree that Natural Gut strings are the best strings ever made.

I talked to him today and he also wants a string that he doesn't have to maintain and one that doesn't hopefully fray too much. He's starting to switch to a semi western grip for his forehand, but he still has his fair share of shanks.

So far, it seems like PPA 17 will be the best string for his needs. Thoughts?

Of course it is, as long as you do not shank the ball. If you shank the ball regularly, the string does not last very long. So from an economic point of view it does not make much sense for a beginner to use Natural Gut, unless he/she is very wealthy or if he/she hits the sweetspot regularly. Most tennis players including myself will agree that Natural Gut strings are the best strings ever made.

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I shank all day long and my string still break in the middle, gut being soft and resilient means they are not as prone to shank breakage as other string.

I talked to him today and he also wants a string that he doesn't have to maintain and one that doesn't hopefully fray too much. He's starting to switch to a semi western grip for his forehand, but he still has his fair share of shanks.

So far, it seems like PPA 17 will be the best string for his needs. Thoughts?

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Good choice! Even though PPA is a multi, I think he will find the fraying is negligible. I would actually go for PPA 16 if he shanks. The 16 gauge plays very well and it will be better able to absorb shanks than the 17 gauge.